Original subtitles

They certainly are an attractive couple. Sure they are. They've got their health

and they're under 30.

Do you know what my problem is, Mrs. Fletcher?

Married or unmarried makes no difference to her. Someone ought to tell Wanda that

nobody's gonna pay for something that she gives away.

You promise you'll always love me, no matter what? Charlie, of course I will.

I can't believe that Charlie intends to marry you and then continue an affair

with another woman.

You're gonna be in for one hell of a surprise.

Merry Christmas.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends, neighbors, family, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you for joining Mary and me in welcoming a newcomer to Cabot Cove.

I give you Charles Davenport McCumber, late of the U.S. Army, who in June of

next year will be taking the hand of our treasured, wonderful daughter,

Elizabeth, in marriage.

Well, they certainly are an attractive couple. Charlie can pass the state CPA

exam. They've got their health, and they're under 30. This time next year,

he'll be working for me and Irv Lazarus, so you can take all your tax and

accounting problems directly to Charlie, because Irv and I are going to be trying

to take a couple strokes off our golf game.

I don't think that's going to sit too well with the son of a certain partner.

Bert Lazarus, Irving's son.

Well, isn't he the office manager for the company?

I guess, but that's not the same as being a vice president, and that is what

Alan has promised his future son-in-law. Charlie got himself an MBA in the Army.

Oh, as I recall, poor Bert flunked math in high school. And last but not least,

because that's her peach flambé dessert you've all been moaning over, Amy

Wainwright.

And we've got Floyd Bigelow of Benning Hardware to thank for giving Amy enough

time off to get the job done. Floyd?

Well, he was here a minute ago. Anyway, that's it. Eat, drink up. We don't want

to have any leftovers.

Come on, Floyd. Aren't they looking for you?

Huh? Don't you have to go back out there?

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Hi,

Bert.

Get a knock, Bert.

How come nobody ever gave me anything like that?

Oh, Wanda, baby, do you really think that you deserve something like that?

You think you got the world by the short hairs, don't you, Floyd?

I do. Isn't that right, Bert?

Right, Floyd.

You know all I have to say?

You're gonna be in for one hell of a surprise.

Someone ought to tell Wanda that nobody's gonna buy something that she

gives away.

How do you figure an army guy can afford a ring like that? Oh, don't let it eat

you up, Bert.

She had my ring once. Oh, for God's sake, that was your high school ring.

She got the grades to go to Berkeley. You didn't.

I gotta stand by while a damn stranger becomes a partner in my old man's fur.

You know, I remember when you were a little girl, you always talked about

marrying a man in uniform.

Yeah. Well, I got my signals crossed he was supposed to be a fireman.

You did.

Mrs. Fletcher, do you believe that someone can fall in love overnight?

Well, I certainly fell hard once, but not overnight, mind you. With Charlie,

it was just so sudden, like he was so afraid of losing something.

Well, that something is you, Beth. I understand that he was with the Army in

the Gulf War.

Yes. Well, then he may have seen death and suffering, and that can have an

emotional effect on a man.

Beth told me that you didn't have any folks, Charlie.

Right. My sister and I grew up in foster homes. Well, if it makes you feel any

better, as soon as those grandchildren start arriving, they've always got a

home here with Mary and me. Maybe it's selfish, but we figure they won't go

running off to California.

Excuse me, Mr. Forsythe. Mrs. Forsythe, I haven't met Mr. McCumber yet. I'm Mort

Metzger, sheriff around here.

Welcome to Cabot Cove. Nice to meet you, Mort. It's Charlie.

Well, thanks.

Listen, I heard you were captain of your Army pistol team. Is that right?

Bess sent us that Army newspaper with a picture of you and your team. Mort's

captain of ours.

Well, you know, next Saturday's team practice.

We'll have a weapon for you, and you should be real welcome. Well, it just so

happens I brought my weapon with me. It's at the hotel. You bet I'll be

there. Oh, that's great.

Hey, listen, you wouldn't happen to be a tenor, would you?

Oh, I'm a fair shop and no way a singer.

Except maybe in the shower.

That's a pity.

See you then.

Mark's also the leader of the Cabot Cove Caroleers. You'll get a chance to hear

him tomorrow night at Christmas, Shindig.

I heard my parents.

They're already talking about grandkids.

Oh, look, I have something important I have to talk to you about.

It looks like the only way you and I are ever going to be able to spend some time

alone is if you come to my hotel room.

Oh, wow.

Do I have to make an appointment?

Thank you, Mary.

Smell that, Seth.

No. Smell what, Mrs. Fletcher? Well, the air isn't cold and wet. It's dry and

crispy. And there's a wind from the north. What Jessica's trying to say is

the wind for a white Christmas.

Wishful thinking, Jessica. Besides, snow leads to traffic accidents and frozen

extremities. So how do you like the car, Charlie? Oh, it's great. Just a loaner,

but I'm thinking about buying one.

You get a better deal in Portland, that's where I got mine.

Listen to him.

Lloyd's a killer of a dealmaker.

See you tomorrow, Charlie. Lloyd.

Come on, Mrs. Fletcher.

Something wrong, Seth?

I don't think so. What gives you that idea?

Well, you've been going out of your way to deny even a smidgen of Christmas

spirit. I guess it has come over that way.

Fact is, these last few days, I've been reminded of when I was 10 years old.

Oh? What happened when you were 10?

You'd think it was silly.

Try me.

Now, that was the Christmas I decided to sneak down and explore under the tree,

the way kids will do.

I was dead sure my pop had saved up to buy me a train set.

Remember the tingle of anticipation?

All those mysterious, colorful packages?

Well, later that morning when I opened them up, it wasn't a train set, no. It

was underwear and socks.

Jess, I don't think you can understand how incredibly disappointing that is for

a 10-year-old.

Oh, I think I do.

This year, with the world in the shape it's in, Christmas is a hollow promise.

We should not be looking for toys anymore.

It was lovely. Thanks so much. Congratulations, Beth.

I got to go on a buying trip to Portland tomorrow. I should be back by about 11,

so I'll get the best deal I can for you, all right? I appreciate that. Thanks.

Here, I'll get it.

This is a friend of yours.

I know the game you're playing.

Unless you want me to blow the whistle.

Be at Sally's Landing at 10 tonight.

Charlie.

Bye. See you tomorrow night. Merry Christmas.

Willie Nelson?

I love him. I didn't know you liked Willie Nelson.

Charlie, what's the matter?

Sorry.

You promise you'll always love me, no matter what?

Charlie, of course I will.

You have that worried sound in your voice again.

I'll pick you up for dinner at 6.30.

I'll be waiting.

I know the game you're playing.

Unless you want me to blow the whistle.

Be at Sally's Landing at 10 tonight.

You and me have to come to a little business arrangement.

This way you have time to think about what it's worth.

Bye.

Bye, Amy.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Nelson.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

Mrs. Fletcher, I'm just on my way out to Portland, but Amy will help you with

whatever you need. Oh, thank you. Just the roll of paper, please, Amy.

I'm going to see you tomorrow night at the community center. Certainly will.

Have a good trip. I'll have that January inventory breakdown for you when you get

back.

Are you sure you have to leave so soon?

It's just tonight I bushed.

I'm decorating at the community center in the morning.

I'll be at the hotel prepping for the state CPA exams.

Pick me up at six?

You bet.

You were right about the star.

Do you have the time, Jessica?

Yeah, it's about 9.45.

Oh, the party's tonight, but I gotta go. I gotta hold the fort down until Floyd

comes back from Portland.

Oh, well, you run along, then.

Amy! Leaving so early?

I'm assigned to balloons.

When I find them, what am I supposed to do with them?

They're in the ladies' lockers, Wanda.

Strangely enough, we're doing what we usually do with balloons.

We're blowing them up.

And there's also a helium tank in there, just in case you may need it.

Wanda came from upstate. She got a job with the city and immediately started

playing the field.

Married or unmarried, makes no difference to her.

Amy works in the hardware store, doesn't she? Floyd Bigelow?

That's right, and she has been carrying a torch for him forever.

But as far as Floyd is concerned, she doesn't exist.

The fact is, Floyd has no respect for women.

Oh, dear. And the poor girl has to work in the same office with him every day?

And wonder what he's doing with his nights.

Jessica?

With Wanda roaming around, do you think that I should be worrying about Charlie?

Seems like his mind has been someplace else lately.

Why don't you nab him? Ask him out to lunch.

Now? Yes, right now.

I mean, get some of these doubts of yours out in the open, face to face.

Well, he's over at the hotel working on his CPA exam.

You know, maybe I will around noon if we're finished here.

We will be.

Here you go, Linda.

Thanks.

Vending hardware.

For you, Floyd.

Who is it?

Some lady.

I didn't ask.

I'll take it in the back.

You made it, Beth. Off you go. Thank you, Jessica. Okay.

You know, Jess, I need four more red balloons.

Oh, I'll get them for you. Thanks.

Absolutely, yes.

Beautiful.

Ah.

Mary needs four red balloons.

Okay, I'll tell you what. I'll trade you four red balloons for my lunch. I think

I left it up front. It's in a white plastic grocery bag.

Oh, don't I see it in there?

I have personal business matters in there.

I shouldn't have left it open. Sorry.

Those are green balloons.

Whoops. Right.

Do you know what my problem is, Mrs. Fletcher? Yes.

Possibly a crapsier.

Your colorblind one?

Right. Right. No problem. These will do.

of yours i know the game you're playing unless you want me to blow the whistle

be at sally's landing at 10 tonight you and me have to come to a little business

arrangement this way you have time to think about what it's worth bye

Charlie, I am so sorry.

Beth said to tell you that she is just not up to it.

Did she say what was wrong?

Who knows? Must have been something she had for lunch.

She was right as rain when she left the community center this morning.

She left?

12.30.

Well, I thought she went looking for you.

Are you sure Beth's okay?

I'm sure she'll be fine tomorrow. Don't worry.

Charlie, it'll disappoint so many people if you're not there tonight.

Look, you can deliver Beth's contribution to the...

Fire Department's toy fund.

Underprivileged kid.

Now come on.

Be nice if it were a proper Christmas and they had some real snow on those

boughs of holly.

Oh, Seth, try to forget about the underwear and socks.

Look, we may not have snow on the ground, but look at all those

beautifully wrapped gifts for those children who really need them. And

there's a whole bunch of toys there, too.

Jess, I haven't danced the samba in years.

Oh, that was the samba? I thought I was doing the rumba. Oh, no, no. If that had

been the rumba, I wouldn't have been doing the box step. I would have been

doing the cross, and it wouldn't have had all those nice dips.

Oh, is that what those were, dips?

I've got to sit down.

Hey, Mrs. Fletcher, Doc, Charlie. Oh, Sheriff, you've done such a wonderful

job with the carol here since last Christmas. Thank you.

The nice thing about it is that the fire department's toy drive doubled what it

did last year. That's wonderful.

Where's Mrs.?

Same as every year, taking baskets for the poor down to that church in Grove

Creek. She'll be by later, though, if it's not too late.

Excuse me. That reminds me, I'd better get into my Santa Claus suit.

What's that about? Oh, that's the raffle.

You see, Seth matches the number on your dinner ticket, and if you're lucky, you

might win a prize.

She's on the raffle committee, but it's just more foolishness. Last year, I won

a pair of sequined bedroom slippers.

Won't even my color.

Thank you.

You're a great dancer, too.

Thank you.

You know,

I'd like to give Beth a call and see how she's feeling. Is there a phone around

here? Yeah, there's one in the office, nothing out by the lockers. Thanks.

Mrs. Fletcher, would you like some eggnog or some punch? Oh, no, thanks,

Clyde. Listen, you're on the raffle committee.

Aren't we supposed to be organizing things for Seth about now?

Sure are. Perhaps we should rustle up some of the committee. Yeah.

Um, where's Maddie Lazarus? I saw Mary here a minute ago.

I'd better go get them. Okay.

What the hell was that shot?

It's one.

She's been shot.

Watch the IV, guys.

She's still alive, fellas, so easy.

Very easy.

Don't ask me why or how, but her heart's still beating.

Well, what are her chances, Seth?

Next to none, I'm afraid.

I'll go with her.

Sheriff, somebody dumped these in the bushes out back.

And your disguise, wouldn't you say, Mrs. F?

Must have been worn by whoever it was Charlie McCumber saw just before he

discovered Wanda.

Sheriff. Wanda's locker was wide open and empty when we all came in.

Does that suggest anything to you?

What, are you thinking that something was stolen from it? Well, I'm thinking

that Wanda was very protective about something in it this morning.

Whatever it was, it isn't there now.

Providing a possible motive.

Some kind of shame, isn't it?

You mean it being Christmas?

Yeah. It's almost as though Doc stacked the deck against us. You noticed that

about Seth, too.

Kind of hard not to notice.

I'll have Andy drive you home, Mrs. F.

Thanks. Andy?

This city, being as small as it is, government's run on a part-time basis by

businessmen like myself and Floyd here. Wanda just kind of kept the whole thing

glued together.

Yeah, the mayor said that Wanda was the best executive assistant he ever had.

Ran the city like a well-organized household.

Did you just get here?

No, I've been in the kitchen.

You know what happened.

How are you feeling?

What's the matter?

I went to your hotel at noon.

I listened to the tape.

I saw you at the Lighthouse Motel.

God. Look, Beth, I can explain everything. I've been wanting to so

badly, but I... Sheriff.

Look what I found.

Sure smells like it's been fired recently to me.

Where'd you find it, Bert?

Out in the bushes, back of the lockers.

This is Army issue.

Charlie, what you said to me yesterday about having one of these at your hotel?

That's mine, Sheriff.

Any idea how it got to where it got?

Hell no.

Somebody must have stolen it from my hotel room.

Charlie, you don't plan on leaving Cabo Cove in the next few days, do you? What

the hell are you insinuating, Metzger?

That's okay, Alan.

Sheriff, I'm not going anywhere.

Not until all this is cleared up anyway.

I'll see you tomorrow, Beth.

Andrews is still alive.

She struck me as a rather ornery young woman. All gristle and not much heart.

Maybe it was the gristle saved her life. What do you mean by that?

Well, the bullet struck the occipital lobe, a glancing blow that was deflected

in some fluky fashion, centimeters from where it could have done real harm.

Dr. Nielsen relieved the resulting hematoma.

I take it she showed more heart than you thought.

Oh, excuse me.

Mrs. Fletcher, I'm sorry it's so early, but I just had to talk to you. The

sheriff has arrested Charlie for Wanda Andrews' murder.

Oh, it's not murder yet, young lady. Not with the victim still alive and kicking.

Thank God.

Yeah, come here.

They flew Charlie's gun up to forensic experts in Portland last night and found

out that it was the same weapon that was fired at Wanda.

This morning, they went to his room. They found this blackmail tape that was

left in his car, threatening a disclosure of some kind.

They recognized Wanda's voice.

But, Beth, there's something very odd about that.

I mean, how could Wanda know enough about Charlie to blackmail him?

All I know is he went to Sally's Landing on Monday night to meet her, Mrs.

Fletcher. He told me that he went there to reason with her, but he couldn't even

summon the courage to face her.

Now, hold it, Beth. If he couldn't face her, Where in the world did he find the

courage to shoot her?

I'm wondering what it is that Wanda had on Charlie.

Or what she thought she had.

Well, why don't I grab some sugar and then get back to County Hospital.

Ladies.

Maybe it has something to do with this ring, Mrs. Fletcher.

It seems so expensive. I can't imagine where he got the money to buy it.

I told you how secretive he's been.

I found out that there's this girl.

She's very pretty.

She's been staying at the Lighthouse Motel.

And Charlie's been seeing her.

Now, Beth.

I can't believe that Charlie intends to marry you and then continue an affair

with another woman.

Be at Sally's Landing at 10 tonight.

You and me have to come to a little business arrangement.

This way you have time to think about what it's worth.

Bye. I hate to say it, Mrs. F., but it sure seems to give Charlie a motive.

It'd help if we knew what his secret is.

Sheriff, as far as you know, was Wanda Andrews out of Cabot Cove for any length

of time last year?

Like where?

Well, like California.

Oh, no way. She was too busy.

You weren't here when the mayor and a bunch from the city council and their

spouses took a hankering to go to Tokyo.

Tokyo? No, I certainly wasn't.

All in the interest of trade relations.

Like we were going to build a chain of Cabot burgers on the Ginza. Well, Floyd

Bigelow went, too.

And while he was gone, Wanda kept up the city books for him.

Now, when he came back, Floyd complained that the books didn't balance.

He griped for weeks about the cost of that trip.

Hey, Sheriff.

Mrs. Fletcher.

I, uh, brought you the light bulbs you ordered.

Hey, Floyd, I was just telling Mrs. Fletcher about the problems you had in

that Tokyo junket. Oh, the junket wasn't the problem.

It's when I got back from Tokyo, there was something screwy with the city

pension account.

The books said one thing, but the banks and the SNL quarterlies that I got said

something else. I mean, $400,000, something else.

Are you saying that Wanda Andrews was involved in the discrepancies?

Yes, I think so.

I mean, there was some co-mingling between the pension account and the

short-term CDs.

And then once these short-term CDs matured, halfway through the summer, I

think Wanda recorded them as rollovers, when in fact, she forged a signature and

cashed them out.

Well, unless she recovers and tells someone what she did with the money, the

pension fund is going to be out $400,000.

That means a lot of pensioners are going to find nothing but a hole in their

Christmas stockings.

I am blasted if that isn't the meanest thing a person can do.

Depriving retired folk of their independence.

Another good reason to keep Wanda alive, Seth.

I mean, she is the only person that can help us to locate the money. Oh, yeah?

But the question in my mind is, what was it that provoked the attack on her life?

I mean, was it her own blackmail scheme?

Or was it her knowledge of the embezzlement? Hmm. Well, that is two

different kettle of fish.

And who was she blackmailing?

I mean, the tape that I heard in the sheriff's office could have been

directed at almost anyone.

At the same time, there was something downright personal about it.

Then if the intended victim was somebody else, Wanda might have become impatient

and contacted them directly.

And Yoshi retaliated by trying to kill Wanda. Jess, I hate to bring this up,

but if Charlie's gun was stolen, you have to consider who had access to

Charlie's room at the hotel.

I know.

Beth.

Like anybody else from here, she could have recognized Wanda's voice on the

tape. Tried to kill her to protect Charlie?

Sorry. I just don't believe that of Beth.

You just don't?

Or you'd rather not?

Well, I'd better be getting back to the hospital.

Thanks for the coffee.

Yes.

Hello. My name is Jessica Fletcher.

I'd like to ask you about Charlie McCumber.

Come on in.

I heard the news on the radio.

And they say Charlie tried to kill some woman.

This is, it's all a crazy nightmare.

Look, I'd like to help if I can.

Now, first of all, if I may ask you, what is Charlie McCumber to you?

I'm Monica.

His sister.

Oh, for heaven's sakes, Monica.

All is not lost.

What do you mean?

Well, first of all, I'm going to make you a cup of tea.

And then you'll be able to pull yourself together.

And then you're going to tell me what all this art business is about.

Is

that your

little girl, Monica?

No, this is Belinda.

Charlie's little girl.

Back in California, before he met Beth Forsyth, Charlie was going with a girl

named Belinda Nordstrom.

Ah, little Belinda's mother, I take it.

She and Charlie were planning to get married.

But Charlie's outfit was suddenly called to the Persian Gulf.

And while he was away, Belinda died in childbirth.

And you took charge of the baby?

Charlie was mentally and emotionally destroyed until he met Beth Forsyth.

And then his whole life just seemed to turn around.

They fell in love.

But he didn't tell her about the baby.

Well, why ever not?

Well,

it's difficult to explain.

First, he was afraid of Beth's reaction to Belinda's illegitimacy.

He didn't want Beth to go out of his life the way Belinda had.

When?

You see...

We lost our parents when we were young.

Charlie's whole life has been about losing people he loves.

And that's why he postponed telling Beth.

I know, it seems ridiculous.

But when Charlie came to Cabot Cove, he faced the prospect of telling Beth's

parents, too.

I know the Forsythes, and they're good people.

But I can see how in Charlie's eyes, they're the very ones who are depending

on him for their grandchildren.

Not somebody else's illegitimate child.

I mean, they've guaranteed him a new start, a place in the community.

I find it very hard to believe that Wanda Andrews, knowing Charlie's secret,

would attempt to blackmail him on something so harmless.

Of course.

The colors. Why didn't I think of it before?

It was all an accident.

What colors?

Well, in this case, the red and the green.

Thank you, Belinda.

May I use your phone?

Oh, please, but what... And I'll need a phone book.

Unless you need anything else, I'll be going now.

Oh. Yeah, you go ahead, Amy.

Oh, and tomorrow's Christmas Eve, so we'll be closing around noon. And when

you go, you mind turning out the lights?

Merry Christmas, Floyd.

Well, Merry Christmas to you, too, Amy.

Floyd?

Oh, yes, Mrs. Fletcher. What can I do for you?

on those missing pension funds that you were talking about?

You don't say.

I was wondering if you could meet me at the community center at about 7 o'clock?

Well, can't this wait till after the holidays?

Well, it really can't.

It'll only take a few minutes of your time.

7 o'clock.

Well, that's an hour.

I guess I can meet you. Where exactly would you like to meet?

In the ladies' locker room. And, Floyd, please bring a key to Wanda Andrews'

locker. Look, how in the hell would I have a key to Wanda Andrews' locker,

Mrs. Fletcher?

Well, you cut keys for the community center, don't you, like you do for all

the hotels and motels in town?

Yes, I suppose you're right.

I mean, in which case you must keep masters.

Yes, I do. It's going to take a little time, though, but I can do it.

Oh, and Floyd, it might be a good idea if you brought Amy.

Um, Amy just left, Mrs. Fletcher. I'll be there, though.

Thank you.

It's not in there, Floyd.

I took everything out yesterday for safekeeping.

Amy, why are you all dolled up?

What the hell are you doing here?

Well, that's a pretty funny question coming from you. It is the ladies'

locker room.

You know, I always knew Wanda had something valuable in there, but I never

knew what it was until she called yesterday and tried to blackmail you.

What do you know about that?

I listened.

When you were in Tokyo and she found out how you'd robbed those pension accounts

and put the money in those three bank accounts in Portland, I always knew

about that, Floyd, but I never told anyone.

Oh, God.

You... you killed Wanda?

I always thought Charlie... You thought it was Charlie Montgomery and poor dead

Wanda would take the blame for the money you stole.

Well, yesterday I wrote her a note from you, and I told her to meet you here

during the party last night.

So, I'm still in the clear. I mean, no one knows the difference.

Well, except me, Floyd.

I'll share the money with you, Amy.

It's not about the money, Floyd.

It's what you give to everybody else.

Can't this... Can't this wait?

You're gonna be here pretty soon.

It just made me think that what I did was worthwhile.

Please, Floyd.

Amy, I can't have you beating around my neck for the rest of my life. Don't you

understand that? Police!

Freeze! Right there! Now!

Amy Wainwright, I'm arresting you for attempted murder.

Attempted murder?

I thought Wanda was dead.

Lucky for Amy, she's alive.

Doc Haslett and some high-priced surgeon are over at County General trying to

keep her that way.

Floyd, I'm arresting you for being an accessory after the fact. And for

embezzlement of city funds.

And in the present circumstances, assault with a deadly weapon.

Why did you have to get involved with this?

Wanda deserved anything she got.

Because it was Wanda's mistake that brought Charlie McCumber into it. And at

that point, I had to be involved.

What do you mean, mistake?

When Floyd was away last summer, Wanda discovered his embezzlement.

and decided to blackmail him evidently she didn't want to confront him directly

at first so she chose a rather bizarre nonetheless effective way to set him up

she left a blackmail tape in what she thought was his car wanda is colorblind

and unable to distinguish green from red except for color floyd's car is

identical to charlie's luna so she put the tape in charlie's car by mistake

when no one showed up at sally's landing on monday night wanda decided to call

floyd directly only that was the night that he was in portland so she had to

wait until yesterday to call him when he was at the store and you were there to

listen in at the forsyth's party you heard charlie say he had his service

weapon at the hotel getting a key was simple since benning hardware supplied

most of our local places with keys so you got charlie's gun and a santa claus

outfit and waited for wanda Right here in the ladies locker room I

Couldn't let her hurt you I Didn't know what it was gonna be

like to shoot somebody she came in and I Shot once I was so scared. I didn't even

wait to see if she were dead or alive I just cleared out the locker and I left I

Was always there for you and you never noticed

The only thing I ever wanted was to have you pay attention to me.

I didn't want to get Charlie McCumber in trouble. I just wanted to save Floyd.

So tell me, Mrs. F., what was Charlie McCumber's secret?

Well, that's not for me to say.

But I don't think it'll be a secret much longer.

Oh, I had to be crazy to doubt Beth and her folks.

Well, Beth knows that you were afraid of losing her, and that's what counts for

her. And if you had any doubts about her being an instant mother, how about a

couple of instant grandparents?

Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher.

It's a Christmas I'll never forget.

Nice young man.

Seth, I'd given you up for lost.

I was at the hospital checking on Wanda Andrews. She's gonna be all right. Oh,

thank goodness.

That's great.

Just a little something.

Oh, well, I've got yours here, too.

Oh.

Well, let's see.

A

train.

I deserve that.

The little train that could.

Tonight, when Wanda pulled through, and I was part of it,

just suddenly, everything seemed brighter.

Then Frank was right.

When he said that Christmas should remind us of what could be, not what is.

Yeah.

I hate to admit it, but I guess I was still looking under the tree.

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. We wish you a Merry Christmas.

We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New

Year. Good tidings to you wherever you are. Good tidings for Christmas and a

Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas, Jess.

Merry Christmas, Seth.